Technical information

Maglock – An electro-mechanical device which uses magnets on the door and the
frame to lock or unlock a door
Magnetic Stripe Card – A card that contains a band of ferrous material that can
be magnetically encoded
Menu – A displayed list of commands or features available to the operator
Mifare® – A registered trade name for Smart Card technology (see Smart Cards)
Modem – A device which transmits and receives binary data across a telephone
line. Used to communicate with controllers at remote sites
Monitor – Either, a part of the access control software which displays transactions.
Or, the monitoring of certain parts of
the access control system (door, input, etc) to check for certain conditions and
generate alarms if necessary
Mullion Mount Reader – A Proximity Reader designed to suit door architraves
Network – Sometimes called a “local area network” or LAN. Connects computers
together so that they can share files, printers and other peripherals. Any computer
on the host computer’s network can be connected to a Hardware System
Off Line – Communications between the computer and the access control system
are halted
On Line – Communications between the computer and the access control system
are open
Operator – Someone who has authority to log in to all or parts of the access
control software
OUT Reader – A reader that changes the status of a card in the cardholder record
from IN to OUT for the purposes of the anti-passback and roll call functions
Output – An output is a signal provided by a controller
PABX – Private Automatic Branch Exchange. Used by company’s to run their
internal telephone systems
Panel Mount Reader – A Proximity Reader designed to fit most 3rd party panels,
such as Door Entry Phones
Passive Technology – A cost effective technology where the user has to actively
present a card or tag to a Reader, Read ranges are typically around 10cm with
Proximity Readers
Password – An alphanumeric code which, if recognised by the access control
software, allows access to the access control database and other software functions
PC – A computer
PIN (Personal Identification Number) – A confidential 4-digit code assigned to a
cardholder which is entered at a PINpad
PINpad – A keypad at which a cardholder enters his or her PIN
Port – A connection that provides a means of communication between devices
Proximity – Security industry term to describe Readers which read cards or tags
without physical contact, but involving the act of presenting the card or tag to
the Reader
PSTN – Public Switched Telephone Network. Used for standard telephone lines
PSU – Power Supply Unit
Rain Hood – A cover that protects Readers or Door Entry Phones from rain in
exposed locations
Reader – The device that reads data from a card or tag and communicates the
information to the controller for validation
Reading Head – A proprietary antenna which is used to interrogate cards or tags.
Must be used with an interface to connect to the Access Control system
Reconfigure – Send the access control database to the controllers
Record – A unit of data stored on the computer which specifies the configuration
of a particular part of the system, for example, a cardholder, an access point, a
time schedule
Re-index – Tidy and condense the access database, removing deleted records and
updating index files
Relay – Device which can switch high voltages and/or currents using a low power
logic signal
Remote Site – A site which has controllers which are not connected directly to
the host computer. The controllers communicate with the host computer at pre-
configured times via a modem and a normal dial-up telephone line or via a LAN
or WAN
Report – Either, a message indicating system abnormality, but which is not an
alarm message. Or, a compilation of data from
the log file or the access control database which can be displayed on the screen
or sent to a printer
Reset – The condition of a device in its clear or inactive or normal state. Also, to
switch a device to its inactive state.
Also, the clearing of all or part of a system, returning the parameters to their
default values
RFID – Radio Frequency Identifcation. The system by which data is transferred from
cards and tags to Readers
Roll Call – A report which lists cardholders who are currently within a zone. (Also
see IN reader, OUT reader and anti-passback)
RS232 – A standard way of transmitting and receiving data down a cable. Usually
used by the computer for distances up to 25 metres
RS485 – A standard way of transmitting and receiving data down a cable over
much greater distances than RS232.
Used by the access control system
Rx – Shorthand for anything to do with the receiving side of an RF (radio frequency)
system or data communications
Segment Controller – A controller that contains data for the Access Control system
and validates or not card transactions. There are 5 variants capable of connection
to up 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 Readers
Shadow Card Pack – A set of cards used to programme and delete cards into a
standalone Magnetic Stripe Card-only Reader
Smart Card – A multi-application card often used for Cashless Vending. Access
Control Readers can utilise the unique chip serial number found in every card, thus
saving the need for a user to hold more than one card
State/Status – The current setting or condition of an access control parameter
or variable
Swipe Card – Card which, to be read, must be passed through, or pushed into, a
slot in the Cardreader
Switch Plate – A Proximity Reader that is designed to fit most single gang back-
boxes
Tag – See card
Tamper – Unauthorised physical interference with the system, usually by opening
enclosures or cutting or short circuiting cables
Tamper Switch – A switch that activates an alarm when a tamper condition is
detected
Telecode – A patented Door Entry Phone System that connects directly the public
telephone network (see PSTN), removing the need for hardwiring of handsets
Thermal Dye-Sublimation – A process where Photo ID cards are created by a
printer heating the dye from a ribbon and then diffusing the colours into the
plastic of an ISO Laminated Card (see ISO Laminated Card)
Time Schedule – A time slot linked with days of the week and holidays
Toggle – When a card or PIN is entered the first time, the door is opened and will
remain unlocked until the card or PIN is entered a second time
Token – See card
Transaction – Any activity occurring in the system
Transaction Log – File stored on the computer which contains all the transaction
messages received by the computer.
Used as a source of data for reports
Tx – Shorthand for anything to do with the transmitting side of an RF (radio
frequency) system or data communications
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) – A backup system that continues to supply
pseudo-mains power for a short time in the event of a mains power failure
User – A cardholder. (As distinct from an operator)
Valid Card – A card which is allowed access
Validation Date and Time – The date and time when a system will validate or
invalidate a card
Visitor Card – A card assigned for temporary use
WAN – Wide Area Network. Used in PC networks and can be utilised for Access
Control communications (see Network)
Zone – An area within a site or facility, bounded by walls and by access points,
used with anti-passback and roll call
GLOSSARY
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